December 15: International Day of Reconciliation

 

December 16: International Day of Reconciliation

The Day of Reconciliation was created to mark the end of apartheid in South Africa. It was officially created in 1995 to foster unity and reconciliation across the country. The reason the date was selected is that it is significant to both African and Afrikaner cultures. On that date in 1864, the white Afrikaner government celebrated a decisive military victory over the indigenous Zulu people.  For blacks in South Africa, December 16 marked the founding of the resistance movement in 1961.  The government purposefully selected a date that would be meaningful for both groups.

The intensity of the hatred of those two groups towards one another pales by comparison to the intensity of the divide between God and humanity.  The greatest need for reconciliation lies there.  From birth, we all face the just wrath and judgment of God.  Any hope for reconciliation is beyond us.  There is no peace between God and us.  Here is the amazing nature of our reconciliation to God.  God holds all the cards.  He is the offended and we the offenders.  We have rejected Him.  We repeatedly pull His face towards us so that we can spit in it.  We spurn every loving advance by God.  Who makes the first move toward reconciliation?  It is God Himself.

The best discussion of this critical issue is found in 2 Corinthians 5. Long before December 16, 1995, God made His peace with us.  The full cup of His wrath was poured out on the head of Jesus.  Everything about our relationship to God can become new.  And “all this is from God who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”  Let that truth sink in.  The God who has every reason to be angry, is not angry anymore! As insidious and evil as apartheid is, the hate-filled divide between us and God was greater.  And God, in His great love, made peace with us through Jesus Christ.  What now?

We have the ministry of reconciliation!  Every day is the Day of Reconciliation!  The message that we bring is this:  If God has made His peace with you, have you made your peace with God?  That is only possible, “in Christ.”  Believe in Him.  Receive Him.  Be reconciled to God!  And share that message with your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers.

Let today remind us of that ministry.  Be reconciled to God yourself, and then share that message far and wide.  The International Day of Reconciliation is as old as humanity itself.  Let’s celebrate the original Day like never before.  

December 14: Herding Cats Day

 

December 15:  Herding Cats Day

We have all been there.  As we stare an impossible task square in the face, we find ourselves feeling like we are trying to herd cats!  While the idiom that something impossible is “like herding cats” is a popular saying now, the phrase has relatively recent origins – one story has it that IT expert Dave Platt popularized the phrase when he said that “managing senior programmers is like herding cats”. 

Another possibility is that the popularity of the phrase gained traction during the 2000 Super Bowl. Hewlett-Packard released an ad on that occasion boasting of their ability to serve customers, as easily as cowboys herding cats. Since then the phrase has taken on a life of its own.

Regardless of the etymology of the phrase, it’s a common experience.  It may be work related, a family issue, a financial problem, or just the day-to-day frustrations we encounter.  Is there any remedy? 

At the risk of sounding trite, there is.  The Apostle Paul faced just such a dilemma as he pondered his life.  He was facing a financial crisis.  The future looked bleak, and he found himself with more month at the end of the money.  Should he stress?  Make an appeal for help?  Throw in the towel completely?  No.  He had discovered the “secret” to living with contentment.

“I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13).  Are you trying to herd cats right now?  There is a resource that only a few can claim.  Are your circumstances daunting?  There is an Ally that will shoulder up to you and give you strength.  Do you find yourself defeated again and again by the same enemy?  There is a Warrior who will come to you with the very power that called all creation into being.

Wherever you are today, find hope in this “secret.”  Whatever you are facing turn to the One who holds eternity in His hands.  Call out.  Pray the simplest of prayers:  “Help.”  Live with the confidence that no herd of cats can defeat you.  You can do all things, in the strength of Christ.  Believe it.  Pray it.  Live it.  And put the cats in the pen.

December 2: Blue Christmas Day

 

December 2:  Blue Christmas Day

While Elvis made the term “A Blue Christmas” popular to describe Christmas doldrums, this holiday is for those who work in law enforcement; police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers.  As of this writing (2020), it’s been a rough year for the folks in blue.

There has recently been a concerted effort to rewrite history.  The argument goes that law enforcement sprang up to support greed and racism.  While there is no question that those elements have been a part of corrupt and nefarious groups, to paint all of those in blue as necessarily in bed with greedy capitalists and white supremacist groups is not only sad, but historically inaccurate.

The rule of law should be celebrated and encouraged, especially by those of us who bear the name of Christ.  The very purpose of government in general and law enforcement in particular is this:   “ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.“ (Romans 13:3-5)

The” power of the sword” would be translated “the power of the gun” today.  God has instituted governments and their agents to punish those who do wrong, and reward those who do good.  To what end?  “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)  We pray for those in authority over us so that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives, IN THE PURSUIT OF GODLINESS!

Recent moves to defund the police and replace those in blue with social workers and counselors is as misguided as it is dangerous. Clearly, we need to ferret out “bad” agents, and correct injustices and abuses.  But we must do that as we celebrate the contributions of the majority of those who protect and serve.  Today, pray for those in blue.  If you see one of them while getting your coffee, thank them for their service.  Our church has even taken to sending thank you cards from the church to those in blue.  However you celebrate this day, remember that governments and those in their employ have been put in place by God, for our good, and His glory.  Go blue!